HC Deb 05 February 1930 vol 234 cc1871-2
13. Mr. THOMAS LEWIS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if officers promoted from mate are given opportunities to specialise?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. A. V. Alexander)

The answer is in the affirmative.

14. Mr. T. LEWIS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many promotions to mate executive and also mate E he anticipates will be made in 1930?

Mr. ALEXANDER

The number of promotions to be made depends to a very large extent upon the number of suitable candidates coming forward and it is not possible to give an actual estimate of the numbers anticipated.

Captain W. G. HALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is an enormous amount of dissatisfaction in regard to promotions to mate and mate; will he consider this, and, if possible, meet the objections which have been made, especially in regard to anomalies in pay as compared with the cadet class?

Mr. ALEXANDER

I am always willing to receive representations from the Service. I have had a good many representations in the House, but no strong representations yet from representatives of the Lower Deck.

Mr. LEWIS

When is the Committee which the right hon. Gentleman has appointed likely to make their report on this subject?

Mr. ALEXANDER

I do not think I said that I had appointed a Committee. What I said was that full inquiries would be carried out in the Admiralty.